first quake ☆ first text then video because tower's network is a troll

[handstands]

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hello?|

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search: where is this?|

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[then, to the sound of furious typing, the video feed starts. for anyone who knows the Tower well enough, it looks like the terminal in use is in the third floor library. the one using is is a frustrated-looking young man, typing very fast without noticing that he's being recorded and getting more and more irritated, until--]

Oh.

[--he looks up, mildly surprised. he shifts uncomfortably, slightly embarrassed:]

Hello? [he clears his throat.] My name is Terra. Is anyone there? I came here from-- [he stares, mouth forming the next words, but his expression darkens and he clearly changes his mind, shaking his head.]

What is this place? [a pause.] Is this world dealing with monsters that you can't control? I can-- [--nope, he can't. Terra's jaw visibly clenches.]

I may be able to help. But... Please. I need answers. [whatever thoughts were distracting him finally catch up for a moment:] I shouldn't be here. This isn't possible.

[he shakes his head again, before fixing the feed with a firm stare:] Thank you for any help.

Comments

[keybearer]

[He's... proud, isn't he? Proud that he's got the Keyblade. For a moment, Riku just sits there, letting it all soak in. This is the guy who gave him the Keyblade in the first place. Who he'd been looking for for so long...

And then he laughs. Laughs because, hey, a lot's happened since he left home, and it hasn't all been easy.]

Still, it's been a bumpy road. You don't know the half of it.

[But how does he even bring up some of his mistakes when Terra's so happy? It's... hard.]

[handstands]

[sorry kiddo, he's just riding on the knowledge that 'I did something right.' but the grin widens.]

Maybe not, but I think I know the feeling.

[he stands up, searches the boy's face, and extends a hand with a smile.]

We never properly introduced ourselves, that time. I'm Terra.

[keybearer]

[...Handshakes? He can do handshakes! Yeah, he's totally going to do that right now.]

Name's Riku.

[handstands]

[everything about Riku just gives Terra more and more a sense of having done something right, having chosen well. he shakes hands firmly and confidently, and then looks over at some of the study tables]

You should tell me what's happened since I saw you.

[keybearer]

It's... kind of a long story.

[He might've tensed up for a split second. There's a lot to cover, and not all of it's pretty.]

[handstands]

[Terra doesn't miss that, and he smiles a little]

You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. Still, I'd like to get to know you better.

[keybearer]

Yeah, same here.

[He hesitates just a little, though.]

I guess I should fill you in, anyway.

[handstands]

Now that doesn't sound good.

[totally light-hearted, even if it's hard to tell. Terra walks over to a study table and sits on the opposite side]

[keybearer]

[In that case, Riku will go ahead and take a seat as well.]

Hey, it wasn't all sunshine and roses.

[This is actually the truth, in fact.]

[handstands]

[oh, such an understanding ghost of a smile]

If it was, there'd be no point to Keyblade wielders.

[keybearer]

Not to mention it'd be boring. I mean, conflict isn't necessarily good, but it keeps things interesting.

[And better than happy sunshine peace time, anyway.]

[handstands]

[smirrrrk]

That too. There have to be some perks for all we give up, right?

[keybearer]

Yeah, there's always some kind of silver lining. You just have to squint to see it.

[Or be an optimistic dork like Sora.]